Hi folks,

Two issues have made my 1992 K75S less comfortable for me than it might be - the position of the handlebars were too low and far forward and there was too much heat coming from the sides of the tank. I have made modifications to address these problems.





I got the bar risers from Voigt Moto Technik in Germany. A test fit proved that there were no issues with wiring, cable or hose length. I fabricated some brackets out of 1/8" aluminum to relocate the dash pad and rear cover to their new locations.








And I got the tank insulation material from Amazon - Thermo-Tec 12" x 24", qty 2




The work included removing the fairings and the tank, neither of which I had done before. Details to follow.

I'll be working on a video soon.

You probably don't suffer the same temperatures that we have to endure. However insulating the fuel lines with foam insulation will also help. Talcum powder will help the insulation slide over the hoses. and if you really want to cut the temperature of the tank right down  you can do this. https://www.bing.com/ck/a? It has reduced my fuel temperature by half.
Regards Martin.

Martin: I just re-read that thread and noted the comment about no insulation on the fuel rail. Just for FYI and nothing more, I've removed/ripped/decimated insulation from two fuel rails. In both cases it was pretty grotty but it was glued on.

We're having another Workshop day in the future and I'll attempt to do a survey on fuel rail insulation with the Kronies. The only person I know so far that has encountered rail insulation is Charlie.
Regards Martin.

Dai as far as I know the only person I know that has encountered insulation in Oz is Charlie. However on our next workshop day I'll try and do a survey.
Regards Martin.

Over the years, I've too have noticed that I prefer the 'bars to arrive at my hands rather my having to do the reach to them. In "the day" on our Airheads we used to call it the S position. Apropos.

My K100RS had barbacks similar to yours, as well as slightly wider 'bars made by inserting a 50mm long x 22mm sleeve into either end internally. That added leverage made a difference, too.

On my "other" K bike, I have added an LSL 28mm standard design fatbar and completely new upper triple clamp (it's not really a triple since it's a Duolever), and that has made that bike far more comfy over the road than its original near clip-on style 'bars.

Yep, ain't none of us gettin' any younger, whether a daily practicing yogini or not.

Two Wheels Better wrote:Yep, ain't none of us gettin' any younger, whether a daily practicing yogini or not.

However, some of us are getting weaker quicker by not practicing anything.

Laitch wrote:

Two Wheels Better wrote:Yep, ain't none of us gettin' any younger, whether a daily practicing yogini or not.

However, some of us are getting weaker quicker by not practicing anything.

I used to think I could keep up with inevitable decline by practicing my bad habits. Now I just don't think about it at all, but for those bad habits...

I'll be working on a video soon.

That video will be helpful for a lot us. The music is so cheerful that for a second, I thought I was about to hear a reverse mortgage commercial.

Well done! I watched the entire vid. BMW wouldn't use a quick disconnect on a battery, never mind the positive terminal. That was a previous owner. Who knows what he or she was thinking?

I agree about new tools. I've just had to replace the front wheels bearings on an Audi A4 Quattro. It was a load of fun, and especially having to buy new and exciting tools. I wonder, though, will I ever use them again? 

Good video!

Handlebars... LFB started out as a naked with flat bars, then transitioned to an RS with flat bars. Then the flat bars got 40mm risers. Then LFB transitioned from an RS to an RT with an LT lifting screen and large, upright RT bars. Who says I'm getting old??? C'mon then!!

Guys, I am with you.

I've had a Triumph Daytona 955i for a few years in the beginning. I just loved the engine but had to force that girl each and every time into a bend. And I did not see very much of the street, because in a natural, relaxed position, I was looking directly at the instrument cluster. Go figure.

Mine looked exactly like this one (picture from the internet):

After experiencing pain in my wrists, neck and back after each and every ride, I switched over to a Triumph Speed Triple 955i - same engine, same frame geometry, same components, but a different seating position: Upright by having wider handlebars in a higher position - a dream to ride, the bike just seemed to follow my thoughts. I was even able to see over the roof of the car in front of me - well, that was then. Today is a different story. All the cars have grown. Incredibly.

Mine looked just like this one (from the internet again):

I loved the S3 for many a year until June 2023.
This year I suddenly realized: The thrill is gone.

I do take my Peraves mobile now: Reclined, feet forward, very comfy.
And protected from the elements, as well.

We don't have to punish ourselves, do we?

Thanks for the positive replies, folks. I am on the brink of stardom now...

MartinW wrote:You probably don't suffer the same temperatures that we have to endure. However insulating the fuel lines with foam insulation will also help. Talcum powder will help the insulation slide over the hoses. and if you really want to cut the temperature of the tank right down  you can do this. https://www.bing.com/ck/a? It has reduced my fuel temperature by half.
Regards Martin.

Hey Martin, thanks for the info - a very interesting thread. You are right - we don't get the same high temperatures here in Ottawa, though we do frequently hit 30 deg C in summer and the humidity can make it feel like it's in the low forties. On the hottest days of this summer, knee-hugging the tank was definitely uncomfortable. We'll see if the insulation helps at all - I'll have to wait for next season to find out.

Your fuel rail shield looks great in black with the 75s logo on it!

I've had my K75s for over 25 years and I got it when I was 45. I loved the bike but the set up was a bit extreme, on full lock the bars trapped my thumbs against the tank. So this started the process of handle bar adjustments and mods, the bars were rotated at different stages and then finally lifted 1", they should probably stay where they are now. I've been through 5 seats including a new BMW comfort seat and then a Corbin Rock Hard fell into my hands (or under my bum). It's by far the most comfortable if puzzling seat I've ever had. At 5'7" and due to starting to suffer balance problems at slow speeds and coming to a stop I lowered the bike rear shock 1" with a custom YSS which greatly helped. 

    Bike was pretty well perfect but the rider wasn't, so The Honorable Minister for Sport and Recreation and I took up Water Aerobics 3 times a week and Tai Chi once a week and walking around the lake 3 times a week. We are now into our third year and it has made a dramatic improvement. It does however take a while to start feeling the benefits. I am virtually the only male doing Water Aerobics consistently with one other doing it occasionally.  We have 2 males doing Tai Chi and a couple more occasional. I  don't know what the problem is with the male species, once they retire they have a tendency to stagnate and sit back and vegetate. Although most of the Kronies seem do some form of exercise.

    Water Aerobics instructor is a female in her sixties and does marathon cross country running, and you know you've done a session with her. Sessions involve a lot of stretching, deep water exercises and self defense moves with various kicks, various punches and elbow jabs. You can work at your own pace but I do try to push myself. If I am ever pushed into the lake by a mugger I am confident that the Honorable Minister will be able to defend me. As the Honorable Minister retires in 4 weeks we are going to take up another form of exercise. Last time we tried it, it cost me $5000.00 Au, I tore a cartilage in my knee. Seeing as I now don't have any cartilages left we are going to start rock and roll dancing at a local RSL.
Regards Martin.

MartinW wrote:Seeing as I now don't have any cartilages left we are going to start rock and roll dancing at a local RSL.
Regards Martin.

  Cue my favorite band and favorite type of dancing!

Laitch I've got no knees left, if I attempted that I'd do my hips in as well. Our form of rock and roll is pretty sedate these days. I'd really like to see a video of you doing your favorite dancing.
Regards Martin.

 Laitch wrote:

MartinW wrote:Seeing as I now don't have any cartilages left we are going to start rock and roll dancing at a local RSL.
Regards Martin.

  Cue my favourite band and favourite type of dancing!

        

Laitch wrote:  Cue my favorite band and favorite type of dancing!

Looks like Lindy hop to me. I just love it!

MartinW wrote:I'd really like to see a video of you doing your favorite dancing.

I'll put that on the agenda, Martin.

It's the Hop, for sure, bad boy!

For recovery, nothing beats Cajun two-step.  

MartinW wrote:Dai as far as I know the only person I know that has encountered insulation in Oz is Charlie. However on our next workshop day I'll try and do a survey.
Regards Martin.

Ay Martin 

I've got five bricks, one of them has insulation on the rail (and fuel line) it's the oldest one I've got, an '84 model. Wondering if maybe they were only on early models.

For some reason it doesn't go the full length of the rail.

Edit: from the paperwork in the tail cowl, it was first sold in Australia (Melbourne)

Of the two I ripped off, one almost completely covered the fuel rail and the other had already been part removed. I can't remember the age of the bikes, but knowing (sort-of) what's passed through my hands, I'm going to say '83-'85.

We have two of our members with early Bricks I will interrogate ask them on the weekend.
Regards Martin.

@Laitch

thanks for introducing me to the 'Cajun two-step'.
I've loved Cajun music for decades
especially since https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Easy_(film)
back then, apart of that movie, we had only music to listen to and no video clips

Laitch wrote:

MartinW wrote:Seeing as I now don't have any cartilages left we are going to start rock and roll dancing at a local RSL.
Regards Martin.

  Cue my favorite band and favorite type of dancing!

Via Internet Rabbit Holes I have lately found myself watching old school Swing videos, totally hooked and totally not what I signed in to ask. See you all on another page shortly.